The Irish squad departed Dublin yesterday morning, many of them to rejoin promotion and relegation battles at their clubs. They left knowing that the next time they are together will be for Niall Quinn's testimonial game in Sunderland.

The group that goes to that game will be the group that goes to the world Cup. No more chances.

So Wednesday night in the swamp at Lansdowne Road was the last opportunity for some outside bets to catch Mick McCarthy's eye.

The performances ranged from the adequate to the good and afterwards McCarthy was, as usual, loathe to criticise any of those who had worn an Irish jersey. It's clear though that there are at most two places up for grabs on the plane to Japan on May 17th.

That leaves Colin Healy, Steven Reid, Rory Delap, Gary Doherty, Andy O Brien, and Lee Carsley all tussling for seats in the departure lounge.

For Doherty the news seemed bad. The player had mentally written himself out of the Irish World Cup story following six months of absence through injury. He played a smidgin of cup action with Spurs since his return but getting called up this week in the absence of Niall Quinn was a genuine surprise.

He arrived in Dublin on the day before the game and there was a once upon a time aspect to the story after that. Late call up, belated introduction as a sub, comes on scores winning goal and plays well into the bargain. On Wednesday night though Mick McCarthy was as explicit as he could be in pouring cold water on the fairytale. "It's unlikey but not impossible" he said of Doherty's chances of travelling to Japan.

In all likelihood McCarthy has decided that Steve Staunton and Kenny Cunningham will form the centre of his defence on June 1st. After that Gary Breen seems likely to have claimed a spot and Richard Dunne, Andy O'Brien and Doherty are in an argument for the last place. It comes down to Dunne's qualifying performances over O'Briens ability.

O'Brien was good but not outstanding on Wednesday night and one suspects that McCarthy has yet to be wholly convinced by the player. He has performed at a solid level for Bradford and Newcastle for some time now but has yet to start a competitive international.

His season of play for an eye catching Newcastle team has elevated him above Doherty in the pecking order it seems but the most interesting selection will be Dunne or O'Brien. Given the absence of left full back cover McCarthy may just accommodate both men by bringing five central defenders.

The other moot questions in the squad concern injuries. Wolverhampton Wanderers locked in a battle with black country rivals West Bromwich Albion for the second automatic promotion spot remained hopeful yesterday that Mark Kennedy, one of their star players this year would be fit enough to play a part in this weekend's action.

If that is the case and Kennedy proves his fitness he may leapfrog Millwall's Steven Reid in the pecking order. Kennedy used to babysit for the McCarthy family and is a long time favourite of the Irish manager even if he has managed to exhibit his abundant talent only sporadically.

All the signs for Kennedy are encouraging. "I've said all along that players that got us here will be given every chance." McCarthy says: "If they are fit when we need them to be fit they will travel."

That could mean that a Millwall side currently carrying four young players (Robbie Reid, Richie Sadlier, Steve Reid and Stephen McPhail) who at one stage or another could all have conceivably gone to the World Cup) will be unrepresented when their former manager picks the squad.

The centre of midfield represents possibly the last conundrum for McCarthy. On Wednesday night he was once again to be found praising Colin Healy's authoritive performance. At a press conference on Monday, however, he had seemed to be distancing himself from the sudden clamour for Healy's inclusion reminding those present of the merits of Lee Carsley.

Much depends on Carsley's state of mind. The player is suffering from a grade one strain of the media ligament at present, not a difficult injury but one which needs rest and which may get worse if aggravated. Carsley is extraordinarily devoted to physical fitness and while he has helped Everton out in their struggle against relegation he must decide whether to risk further injury by travelling.

McCarthy, meanwhile, claims that the late claims on his attention being applied by younger talents are "no headache" and "that there is life beyond the World Cup."

As the man who ousted Dave O'Leary from many Irish squads in one of the most controversial selection issues in Irish soccer history he should know.

Republic Of Ireland defender Gary Kelly is hoping to raise over €700,000 from his testimonial match against Celtic at Elland Road on May 7th for cancer charities in Drogheda and Leeds. Non-attendance tickets will be on sale in the Drogheda Independent offices at 9 Shop Street Drogheda for €10.